Method and means for aligning the rear axles of trailers and the like



J. L. BROWN METHOD AND MEANS FOR ALIGNING THE REAR Aug., 23, X949.

AXLES OF TRAILERS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 20, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

JOSEPH L.. BROWN A TTO/QA/EVS Aug. 23, 1949. J. BRowN 2,479,723

METHOD AND MEANS FOR ALIGNING THE REAR 4 AXLES OF TRAILERS AND THE LIKE Filed July 20, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllll-llllll FIG. 2

FIG. 7 Flcs. e Flewgm BY @Wrrwm A TTO/QNEVS l wheel assembly and Patented Aug. 23, 1949 Marr-ron AND MEANS FOR AL'IGN-ING THE REAR AxLEs or TRAIEEasnNnTnELIxI-i Joseph L. Brown, Cliantte,` N. C. implication July 20 lgaylia! NQf-,gem :f

11 claims. (cia3-193) This inventionrelates toa method and means i for aligning vehicle axles, and more particularly to a method and means which can be utilized for this purpose without extensive disassembly of the chanics. v

One of the most burdensome maintenance problems in the use of trailers by motor` lines and Vthe like is thematter of keeping the rear ,axles 'of the trailers in proper alignment. If this align- Without requiring skilled mei ment 1s not maintamed, the trailer w1l1 run out of line with the tractor pullingiit,A which not only results in undue wear on lthe tires, but makes driving diflicult andcreatesA a serious safety hazard. In order to makethis alignment by methods heretofore commonly employed, it is necessary to `remove the rear Wheelvassemblies,frornthe axle sothat the axle spindles maybereached as ref erence points for the alignment. This method V is unsatisfactory becauseremoval of vthe `wheel assemblies is a major maintenance j obandrequires repacking ofwthe wheel assemblieswhen Vthey are replaced so thatthe alignmentis quite expensive. On the` otherhand, it is not possible to maintain the, alignment over any extended period when the trailer isin useso that it shoul i be checked and adl'llstedfrequently.

According to the present invention axle extenders or adapters are arranged forrnounting at each end of the rear axle of a trailer so as'to establflish reference points, aligned with the axle and extending in a length vsuincient toprovide atrav- Verse clear ofthe wheel `assemlnliesniounted on jthe axle from these reference points to a central reference point adjacent the forward end ofthe" trailer, such las the Kingpin. Distancemeasuring means may then be usedto compare the distances from the central reference pointto each o f the reference points providedonthe adaptersand the axle hanger structure may b e easily adjusted in the usual manner` until thesedistancesare equal to effect the alignment. z In addition to the fact that the axle alignment may be carried out according to the present invention without takingdown the rear wheel assemblies so that any ordinary shop hand may easily make the alignment, the present invention has the further important advantage 4ofallovving the alignment to bemade with the trailer loaded tion with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.: 1` is afschematic'plan'yiew taken below the fflooririg and' supporting'framework of a trailer, 'shoyving generallythrnanner of using the invente: .1.. 4 y

"Fig.2 isY a' detail side elevational View of a kingpinnormally forming Ama part ofthe coupling assembly (not shown)fof"attrailer:`

.Fi g..3 is aipersgeftiveyiew :anedapter according to one'A fornrof theinvention;

LFig. Lij is'a' pe r j sl1ieotire view showing a tension measuring' scaleinountedat theouter end of the `:adapter end connectldto a tension cable, which 'isfin turnl connected to a plateor collar adapted "for'assembly withyrthenkingpin;

" ,"'Fig "`5 isfafiragmentary cross-sectional view "sliliyving` an; axlejfextender oiuthetype Shown in Fig:"`3 but mountedl dir eetlygontheend of the n axle spindlebylrewthreads Fig Gfis a fragmentary cross-sectional View showings an adapter 'mounted between the axle spindle and" t-liedaxleextender shown in Fig. 5,

Eig. 7 isfa iragm'entary perspective View showing a modified former adapter illustrated in Fig. 3.

Ing the embodiments o fA the present invention Shown. iniliedrawinsfher? is illustrated in r'lgsgl and fz-tne riminggear of a trauer and the Kingpin ci the usual coupling assembly (not Shown); Thlueiliegjgearloa trailer as Com- "monly arrangedcomprises-an 'axleil which is which assures proper a1ignment under actual`` conditions of use.

'ljheseand other advantages of the present inm1111129@ ma .suiieblahanger Structure under a fthel usual easel dual rear wheel assemblies Ill are mounted on`the axle I I bytwheel `mounts indir n zated generally/ at l which are provided at their outerfacesf'aoundabore@housing the bearing 'securing nuts'A at the fendof axlell, with hub normallyftlreaddto `securetlfie'hub caps in place, ard end of the trailer is The .eprnsi'tejfdi thacoupling assembly (not ngpin l 1 which is mounted new@ mailer onfthe longitudinal' axisfl offthe trailer, and at 'of the type 11n facilitate Ythe alignment operation; if desired. "An

wheel mount I with the hub cap bolts I6. The base portion 2I is further formed with an annular flange 24 fitting the above mentioned bore at the hub of the Wheel mount I5. As this bore houses the bearing and securing nuts at the end of the axle il, it is a machined surface in relation to which the adapter 20 may be accurately aligned with the axle IL, Alternativelmthe adapter 28 may be internally "threaded as indicated in Fig. 5 at 36 for threading directly on the axle spindle 31 when the axle nuts are removed.

The adapter 2|] further comlvirisesY` a tubular extending arm portion 25 Which'may'be secured to the base portion 2I in any'cnvenient manner, such as by screw threads as shownat 26 inEig. 7. The arrangement of screw threads V 26 may b e supplemented With an abutment'v collar21 to adapt the arm portion 25 for assembly readily `vvithany base portion 2| of a set provided for selective use with varying typ es`b i wheel mounts Ies GX- plained furtherfbe'lo'w, Similarly an ada'pter`28 "5 1ma'y`b'e arranged 36f'with any of a "3'8 which "are -in Vturn infor threaded eng 'set'of base portions Aternally threadedas at 38 for engagement with The' extendig-ani1'-portion' 2 5 isfformed at its extending end to" lblish a reference vpoint for 'use 'With .di'stance easuriiig'means. 'For this purpose, a pin`f2 '8 formed v vitlfijja groove 29 tore- 'ceive and position 'the lopfforfring commonly provided at the fend oi the ordinary measuring tape maybe arranged. ntthejarm portion 25. 'As

' shown' in Fig. is; tneibin 21841;@ be; formed'witn a screw threadedrslianlior'the like" (not shown) 'for assembly as',ir1fdica'ted 'a witha plug member 3| adaptedror'a press t inthe' extending e'nd' of It should also be partie ly illustrated in Fig. 1 the ext 'dng arm s portion 25 is formedinma'lehgthgsufcient,to' dispose the pin 28 when'the' a`dapter'20`is`munted at' the end ofthe axleII so. thatatraverse clear of the wheel assemblyfIfd'lishprbvi'de'd for distance measuring means'frein* theQgrboVefZlly or other refer- 'ence point Ion' the pin v2'8 the' central reference point provided adaclfa'nt.theI forward' end' of the trailer by une;` kingpin I1/ It VWin be 'se'en that this aiordsfa 'simplefandconvenient means for f making the necessary measurements to 'align the axle II. ,s 'I he ei'rteV` 'dinggarm pQrtionZ' may bealSQ brovided with a tensign@measuringscale to further arrangement ofy l 'scri-,his illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, in whicnthie p iriZB` at the extending end 'ofthe arm portion25 is tted'vvithla bracket bar 33'by means of a clarnpf3ffl, the otherler'ifdV of the support v pivotally a tension measuring scale V4l).

This tension measuring s cale-40linfthe' embodiment shown, comprises ?'lllterhtub-e orlsheath 4l into VAii'flnich istelescopedan innerrod or tube A42 WhichV is attached ati' ts inner end toa spring 43 or other suitabletension means. VAn index indicator 44 is mounted v on theinner rod f ortravel along' a suitably lcalibratedslot 45 l to indicate measurements recorded by the'measuring scale The inner rd. .4 2. i. s vided infonie end with a. suitable line orucord holdihg'member 4 6, which, as` shown, comprises) a rset of 4jaws or Slots H The rartieiillariapapf line holding means 46 Vshcyvfi/ nis especially adaptedfor 4use with 49, the slots being so adjusted as to permit pase sage of the cable 48 but prevent passage of the bead 49. The other end of cord member 48 from a pair of adapters 20 is attached to a reference plate or collar 5I! formed for assembly on the Kingpin I1 as indicated in Fig. 4, the pressed beads 49 being spaced on the cord members 48 at equal lengths from the reference plate 50 so that balanced readings of the measuring 'scales 4u will indicate alignment of the axle I I from the center line as at 52 of the trailer.

`In utilizing V theM method and means of the present invention'ffor aligning the rear axle of a trailer it is only necessary to remove the hub cap bolts I6 andhub cap of the running gear on the vaxlefII of which it is desired to determine and "correct the alignment. After the hub cap bolts It have been removed from the wheel mounts I5, the axle extenders 20 are either bolted onto thewheel mounts at their, flange portions 22 by means of the jhfub cap bolts 'If6, 'OrfsCreWed directly onto i the axlfe spindles` 3l after removing the axle nuts, thereby pbsitioning the axle extenders "2 8 inaccurate extended alignment with the 'longitudinal axis' 'of 'the "a'xle I I. 'After the axle extenders20 have been secured at'the'en'ds of theaxle' I I, the'pi'n's28 at'jthefextending ends of the arm portions'ZSfWll be ldisposed,"a's previously' mentioned, to provide Va traverse' clear of the Wheel 'assemblies `I'4 lto a central Vreference point adjacentthe `forvv'arderi'rlr 'the trailer, such as the kingpinI'l. l

In making vthe "alignment, liylordinaryidistance measuring means, suchv as' 'a steel measuring tape, m ay be used With an adapterZIl arranged assh'own in' Fig. 3,' the tape being', extended in succession from thelpinf28` fof' each' adapter 28 'to compare the respectiveI distances to lthe'kingpin j l, following which' the hangerstructure for the'a'xle II may befadjiisted a`s indicatedby the 'means' conventionally provided for 'this purpose.

The aligning Voperation is: facilitated, however, by using'a'dapterf 2 '0 tt'e'd with measuring 'scales V4l) Vasshown in'FigQfl and'd'scribed'above. .In

using adapter ZlIarrage'd in this, manner, the

cord membersfaa are "attached :to the 'measurthe adapters .2n have bnfinounted'apthejeds of' the axle II, 'andthe' reference 'plate5f`isthen assembled.With'the'kingpin' I' 'I to extend the oo rd membersv is under tension from eeen of the y measuring, scales 40,. This .tension in the cord members 4a' resultsjinextension of the 'rod 'member a2 against; tnejpuuj f1 the stringerti' inY the scales 48,' and. as theA beads 49 "are y xe'd 'on the cordv members. 4'8at" equal lengths f ri'rn the referhas been foundjof particuiarjutiuty when assembled in th'evirm o ffaf'kit'so as to be maintained .conveniently available f.or 1 `1se.y Irrthis connection, '.'vvhere 'adapters )2 0 'incorporating measuring" scales 4'8 lare provided, 'it' has proved advantageous to arrange a clamp on thearm portion 25ffor holding the;measuringfscale 48 when not in u'se. Asitabiekanonnen forme according to the present, inventioni'would comprise at .least 'o' ne pair Iof,'exten'sionf devices or adapters K2 I), pro

50, and preferably alsotvithl'afset of base portions 2|.-.or1` 3.1:. Afor Saleen-refuseWittig-these ..erse .fclear of themwheel assemblies omisaidzaxle to a central reference point adjacent the forward end of said trailer, measuring and comparing the distances from the ends of said extending members to said central reference point, and adjusting the axle hanger structure and rechecking and comparing measurements until these distances are equal.

2. A method of aligning the rear axles of trailers and the like by which the alignment may be made with the trailer loaded and without taking down the rear wheel assemblies, which comprises mounting extending members of equal length at each end of the rear axle of a trailer in alignment with said axle and in a length sufficient to establish reference points at the extending ends of said extending members providing a traverse clear of the wheel assemblies on said axle to the kingpin of said trailer, measuring and comparing the distances from the ends of said extending members to said kingpin, and adjusting the axle hanger structure and rechecking and comparing measurements until these distances are equal.

3. A kit ior aligning the rear axles of trailers and the like and with which the alignment may be made with the trailer loaded and without taking down the rear wheel assemblies, said kit comprising a pair of extension devices adapted at one end for mounting at each end of the rear axle of a trailer in alignment with said axle, said extension devices being further adapted for forming reference points at their other extending ends for use with distance measuring means, and said extension devices being formed in a length sufficient to dispose said reference points so that a traverse clear of the Wheel assemblies on said axle is provided for said distance measuring means from said reference points to a central reference point adjacent the forward end of said trailer,'such as the kingpin.

4. A kit for aligning the rear axles of trailers and the like and with which the alignment may be made with the trailer loaded and Without taking down the rear wheel assemblies, said kit comprising a pair of extension devices adapted at one end for mounting at each end of the rear axle of a trailer and having spring loaded scale members connected at their other extending ends, cord members adapted at one end for connection with said scale members for actuation thereof, and a reference plate formed for assembly on the kingpin of said trailer and iixed to the other ends of said cord members, said extension devices being formed in a length suflicient to provide a traverse clear of the wheel assemblies on said axle for extending said cord members under tension from said scale members to said reference plate.

5. A kit for aligning the rear axles of trailers and the like and with which the alignment may be made with the trailer loaded and without taking down the `rear Wheel assemblies. said kit comprising Ia1-parc of extensionidevices adapted at one end for mounting at each endlbilthe rear axle =of "atrailer Eand having spring :loadediscale members connected" at their-r outer' extending ends, a reference platefformed'.ifrfassemblyfon the kingpin' of saidftrailer-,f and fcord .members iixedonI said "referenceplate-hand' i adapted Lfor extension and connection'- linfequal f lengths .with said `scale -f memberswfo'r actuation thereof, Vsaid lO extension devicesb'eing formed1inf^`a1length sufficient fto provide -a traversefclearffof theiwhfeel assemblies on said-"axlefor-extending sai'dffeord members under tension from'fsagidfscale'members 'to said reference platelf tancelmeasuring means `ir'r'derermiriing the Aaligntached-tothe wheelmounts by bolts, comprising an elongated member having a flanged, cupshaped member provided with bolt holes on the flange stationed to match the position of the hub cap attaching bolts, and means on the other end of said member for engagement by said distance measuring means.

7. An axle length extender for use with distance measuring means in determining the alignment of axles of trailers having hub caps attached to the wheel mounts by bolts, comprising an elongated member having an adapter detachably mounted on one end of said member and provided with bolt holes stationed to match the position of the hub cap attaching bolts thereby permitting attachment of the extender to said wheel mounts by means of said hub cap attaching bolts, and means on the other end of said member for engagement .by said distance measuring means.

8. A kit for determining the axle alignment of a trailer having hub caps attached to the wheel mounts by means of bolts and having a coupling assembly including a kingpin, comprising a pair of axle length extenders having an elongated body portion and a flanged end portion provided with bolt holes on the flange stationed to match the position of said hub cap attaching bolts, the

other end portion being of reduced diameter,

a collar member adapted to be secured to said kingpin, a pair of cord members attached to said collar at one end and provided at their other ends 5G with a series of abutment members spaced equidistantly from said collar, spring loaded scale members pivotally attached at one end to the reduced end portion of said axle extenders and having holding means at the other end thereof for gripping said abutments, the aforesaid elements being cooperatively arranged to permit determination of the alignment of a trailer axle.

9. An extension device adapted for use in aligning the rear axles of trailers and the like and with which the alignment may .be made with the trailer loaded and without removing the wheel assemblies, said extension device comprising a base portion and an extending arm portion, said base portion being adapted for mounting at an G5 end of the rear axle of a trailer and accurately aligning said extending arm portion with said axle, and said extending arm portion being formed to provide a reference point at its extending end for use with distance measuring means and having a length suiiicient to dispose said reference point so that when said extension device is mounted at the end of an axle a traverse clear of the wheel assembly on said axle is provided for said distance measuring means from said reference point to a central reference point 'adjaceht the forward Yend of said traiien Ysueiras the kngpin. 1 A, d.

i10.`.An extension k.device as deiined in claiirr9 and further characterized in that said base por- ,tion is formed Awith mounting apertures registering with the hub cap mounting bolts of the wheel assemblies for said trailer, whereby said exten- Asion devicevmay be mounted at the end of said axleby said mounting bo1ts, and4 saidY base portion is furtherformed with anlannuiaI-iiange tting the bore at the hub of said wheel assembly, Awhereby said vextension device Vis accurately .aligned with YSaflfalsle-,-

-endefurther.characterized. iii that aid; has? `rr- 15 tion is internallytthreaded Yffm Srewing V011,8111 i axle upon removalpf an :axle ,nut-` REFERENCES CITED f 'fThe ifullo-Wing references are of record in the vile of Ythis patent: Y v

Germany ;oct. 9, 1933 

